P s 

3509 P 

}^J^ Threads for the 
Soul^ Garment 




Isabella K. Eldert 




Class P S^-St)^ _ 



Copyright N^ 



/9m 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSHi 



THREADS FOR THE 
SOUL'S GARMENT 

ISABELLA K. ELDERT 



With loving thought of those ivho have entered 
"the place of light and refreshment.'' 




RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 
BOSTON 



Copyright, 1912, by Isabella K. Eldert 



All Rights Reserved 



X:^ -' 



The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. a. 



©CI.A328190 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Snowdrops' Song 9 

What God is Like Unto lO 

The Passing of the Shadow 1 1 

"The Whole Creation Groaneth" 12 

Result 13 

Opportunity 14 

The Birdie's Love-Song 16 

Ascension Lilies 17 

Trust 18 

The Soul's Mask 19 

The Christ-Tide 20 

Christmas Morn 21 

Whisperings 22 

Now 23 

To Victory's Heights 24 

Thou Shalt be Comforted 25 

The Aftermath Cometh 26 

The Other Side 27 

3 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Clouds 28 

Thought 30 

"Sorroiuful, Yet Ahvay Rejoicing" 31 

Thy Cross 33 

The Dirge of the Old Year 34 

To Waters Still aiid Pastures Green 35 

His Soul 36 

Life's Threads 37 

JVhen Days Are Dark 38 

Mary, the Mother of Our Lord 40 

Hoiv Shall They Face the World 42 

Love's Vision 44 

''Peace at the Last" 45 

Resurrection-Links 46 

De Profundis 47 

When You and 1 49 

The Vision of the Stars 50 

From Earth to Heaven 53 

Recompense 54 

When Sorroiu Comes 55 



THREADS FOR THE SOUL'S GARMENT 



God touched a soul that long had dormant lain. 
And straightway it awoke to consciousness 
Of all its poverty J its nakedness. 
Its ivant. In solemn silence vision came 
Of life arrayed as life might be, and swift 
Was born the knowledge that within it lay 
Large possibilities of raiment fresh 
And beautiful. Re-vitalized, intent 
Upon its work, it rose and into space 
Projected far seven strong foundation-lines: 
First love and next obedience, faith nearby. 
Calm fortitude, contentment, joy and peace, — 
Each perfect of its kind but all too frail 
T' endure the daily strain of earth-desires 
Without the spirit's aid. Released from bondage sore 
It wove the garment for the soul to wear 
By drawing from the heart of every wound. 
Each thing that pleased (e'en love of sky and trees. 
The birds and flowers, the babbling brook 
Or ocean deep) an essence which it changed 
Into fair glistening threads, and wove each one 
Around and in and out those soul-laid lines. 
Abreast the swelling bosom of thought-waves, 
Within the caves beneath heart's surface hid 
The spirit found amid debris great pearls 
Most lustrous-white when woven into place. 
Where tear-drops fell (as sometimes it must be) 
There God flashed sunlight, and like diamonds 
They shone, while softly over warp and woof 
He threw a great protecting power like veil 
Of rainbow hue. 



Oh J soul that never dies 
Thus clothed! Oh spirit blest, absorbing God! 
Heaven would not part ye, earth cannot, and thus 
Forever one, salvation ye attain. 
In 77iidst of discord, shedding peace; in midst 
Of suffering giving of your best; in midst 
Of trials standing firm, pass on to bliss! 

Amen. 



THE SNOWDROPS' SONG 

We're never unhappy, we Snowdrops, for lo! 

E'en under the sod we are growing, we know. 
So when dark are the days, most wintry the weather, 
We just cuddle down close and whisper together, 

"It's all right as it is, 'till with its warm glow, 

Love opens the way, and we rise thro' the snow." 



WHAT GOD IS LIKE UNTO 

What God is like unto? Ah, this I ne'er can tell 
Whilst in its mortal covering my soul on earth doth 

dwell ; 
But when, its bonds all sunder'd, my soul shall 

swiftly rise 
In joyful, rapturous gladness triumphant toward 

the skies. 
Each earthly shackle broken, my own, true self 

new-born, 
Clothed in immortal garments by souls redeemed 

worn. 
All avenues of Knowledge thrown open to me, 

wide, — 
Then shall I see my Lord, my God, and so be satis- 
fied. 



Id 



THE PASSING OF THE SHADOW 

The doves are at the window with their token of 

release, 
While husb as winter moonlight breathes a message 

full of peace. 
From hands of God's own angels mercies fall and 

pave the way 
For the passing on of shadow and the entrance of 

the day. 



XI 



"THE WHOLE CREATION GROANETH" 

Heart of the universe of God, dost groan 

'Neath sighs and tears and sobs of sin-stained men? 

Dost struggle under barriers made? Dost free 

Thyself by sudden wrench and wield abroad 

Calamity and death? Oh, tell me then! 

Were heav'n again on earth would'st thou be less 

Severe? Would'st travail less? And sweetly 

smile 
Where now thou bringest pain, its measurement 
Man's capability to learn? Would'st give 
But gentle touch where now tornadoes blow? 
In place of thunder, would men hear the word 
Wafted by breeze? Oh, tell me. Heart encased 
Within this universe of old! Were we 
To do heav'n's will, heal hearts of brother-men, 
Were peace to reign supreme, would'st thou be more 
Of God and less of pain? Strange secrets lurk 
Within thy bosom deep. 

Methinks I hear 
The answer whispered soft: "In every breath 
I draw, I gather in the atmosphere 
Of man — God's agent placed upon the earth 
To bring forth all of good. Thy lesson learn, — 
Man's primal power wield, and waves will still." 



12 



RESULT 

My life-work it lay 'mid the souls of weak men 
And I said to myself time oft and again, 
**Can I do it so bravely, so wisely and well 
That of God's loving kindness it surely will tell? 
Can I teach them the way to do ever the right 
Though bitter the struggle, most weary the fight? 
Can I, so imperfect, unerringly lead? 
So often soul-hungered, other wayfarers feed?" 

Through the shadows of doubt a Voice came unto 

me, 
"Child, tremble not, fear not — 'tis sufficient for 

thee 
To feel that God gave thee thy life-work on earth, 
That in heaven lies its goal and in heaven was its 

birth. 
Thou'rt responsible held but responsive thou art 
And the Lord of the harvest will do well His part 
In sustaining thy strength, so rejoice and to-day. 
Asking not the result, when He calls thee, obey." 



13 



OPPORTUNITY 

A New Year's Greeting 

Did some one tell thee through the land 
There came a firm yet gracious hand 
To furnish weakened souls with cheer, 
From hearts bowed down to banish fear — 
Thou'dst greet this glad, this happy year. 

Did some one tell thee that when days 

Would seem the darkest, then the rays 

Of hope would burst upon thy sight, 

That thenceforth thou would'st walk in light- 

Thou'dst greet this glad, this happy year. 

Did some one tell thee that when most 
Thou neededst comfort, then a host 
Of angels pure on thee would shower 
Hope, love and peace — a heavenly dower — 
Thou'dst greet this glad, this happy year. 

Did some one tell thee that sweet joy 
Would soon be thine, thou would'st employ 
Thy moments well and sing thy praise 
For all the happy, God-giv'n days 
Of this most glad, most happy year. 



H 



Would'st know all this? Then, this thing more: 
Before thee stands an open door; 
Within the room beyond it seen 
Thou'lt find what else had never been 
To make 'thee glad this happy year. 

Some opportunity to bless, 

Some load to lift, some wrong suppress. 

Echo with deed each duty call, 

So in Christ's name to thee and all 

Shall be a glad, a happy year. 



15 



THE BIRDIES' LOVE-SONG 

Hear the twittering of the song-bird 
As he flies from bough to bough; 

Hear him calling to his nest-mate, 

"Sweetheart, sw^eetheart, tell me how 

Love did bind us, love did teach us 
How to live, dear. Sweetheart, how?" 

And the birdie in that home-nest 
Answers thus with tender coo: 

"Sweetheart, dear heart, one can never 
Put in words all love will do. 

Cease your flying, come and kiss me — 
Sweetheart, dear heart, I love you." 



i6 



ASCENSION LILIES 

From out the thickest, blackest mud the fair white 
lilies rise; 

E'en so while in the world they stay may souls 
draw near the skies, 

Lift faces pure and sweet to heaven, tread softly and 
abide 

The coming of the day foretold by heart's ascen- 
sion-tide. 



17 



TRUST 

Pure trust? Most mortals know it not — 

That trust which feeleth ne'er a blot 

Of doubt on what the other doth. 

Such thing as mortal men call trust 

Doth give the lie, doth turn to dust 

The thread of truth, defiles the troth 

'Twixt man and man, 'twixt heart and heart 

Doth reckon in a worldly mart 

How much t'expect, how much to give. 

In lieu of knowledge cometh fear; 

In lieu of heartsease groweth care 

Until we scarce w^ould wish to live. 

That other trust? Ah! Well some know 
The power it wields to make them grow 
Anear to God — to make them rise 
From out the midst of choking care. 
From hell beneath until they dare 
Aspire to reach the highest skies. 
Sweet realms of peace. Forever sure 
Come weal come woe, trust doth endure 
'Twixt them and God and hearts they love, 
All doubt, all untrue thought they sink. 
And weave a chain whose ev'ry link 
Is fastened close and clinched above. 

Such trust is clad In garments white; 
Wears jewels seen in darkest night; 
Its heart pure gold. Its steps all true. 
Its song the same — the old yet new. 



i8 



THE SOUL'S MASK 

Smiling face and aching heart, 
Peals of laughter, then pain's dart 
Piercing through our very soul — 
For the falseness, toll, bell, toll. 

Jesting words and memory sad, 
Joy-notes struck whilst all unclad. 
Bruised, sore-wounded feels the soul- 
For the falseness, toll, bell, toll. 



19 



THE CHRIST-TIDE 

Mystical blending of birth and of life, 
Mystical power to put away strife, 
Mystical cleansing of hearts from all sin, 
Mystical raiment born from within. 

Mystical tide with meaning most sweet. 
Mystical truth with goodness replete, 
Mystical shadow and mystical light. 
Mystical vision of mystical might. 

Mystical love and mystical thought. 
Mystical message by God's angels brought. 
Oh, mortals take heed, and see the day dawn. 
Heralded thus on that first Christmas Morn! 



20 



CHRISTMAS MORN 

When wakes the sun on Christmas morn, 

Turn to the East for there was born 
Our Jesu, Saviour, Love divine, 

Our Prince of Peace. Thy heart and mine 
Let rise in solemn gladness, then 

Pray God His birth in hearts of men. 
So shall we our own blessing reap. 

The meaning true of Christmas keep. 



21 



WHISPERINGS 

When the daylight fades into twilight shades 

I send a sweet thought unto thee 
In an Angel's care ; she will bear it there 

And tell thee it cometh from me. 

Dost thou hear it, dear, as thou sittest there 

And thinkest of days yet to be? 
Dost thou feel her wings as she stoops and sings, 

*'Thy love sends her love unto thee?" 

Dost thou answer then with a deep heart-throb, 

"Oh, Spirit, whoever thou art! 
Take my message now, my most sacred vow, 

I love her with all of my heart." 



22 



NOW 

Build bridges to-day lest to-morrow shall find you 
Unable to gather the timber you'll need; 

Work now in life's garden lest evening shall see you 
Too weary to sow even tiniest seed. 



23 



TO VICTORY'S HEIGHTS 

The inner-whispered word he knew and rose 
Through cloud-flecked day or sun or starry night. 
Borne upward 'mid the silences, his flight 
Safe measured by the growth of soul. In throes 
Of deepest agony he fought dread foes 
Within his breast: yet beckoning on, the light 
Of days to be — vouchsafed in vision bright — 
His lodestar shone. No other sign he chose. 

This his reward: That as he higher rose 
And deeper drank at fount whence wisdom 

flows, 
Led by his song th' unseen the real to men 

became — 
Not earth but heaven their pilgrim-aim. 
Nor asked he more. But one onlooking found 
His work as poet, prophet, priest, love-crowned. 



M 



THOU SHALT BE COMFORTED 

Let but the rays of God's glad sunlight fall upon 

thy tears 
And straight a rainbow shall be born — hope scatter 

all thy fears. 



25 



THE AFTERMATH COMETH 

Along the Aisle of Days we walk so blind we can- 
not see 

That fairest buds are ripening fast in wondrous 
mystery. 

At Sorrow's womb we look aghast nor dream that 
through the might 

Of pangs untold may birth be giv'n to resurrection- 
light. 



26 



THE OTHER SIDE 

When upon you fall life's shadows 
And the day seems dark and drear, 

All unclouded, bathed in glory 
Shines the other side anear. 

Nearer far than mortals dream It, 

Just a filmy veil between. 
Rise ye then ye weary people, 

From the East the sunlight gleam! 

Rise and let the gloomy shadows 
Fade from out your gaze to-day! 

Upward glancing, see the radiance 

'Yond the clouds stream o'er your way. 

Here or there — what is It, tell me ! 

Heartaches prove the strength of love ; 
Shadows mean that light Is shining, 

Earth foretells the heaven above. 

Oh, the gladness of the Vision, 

When though earth Is dark and drear. 

For our comfort, bathed In glory. 
Shines the other side anear. 



27 



CLOUDS 

"Oh, clouds dispel and let the light 
Burst full and clear upon my sight!" 
Thus moaned a Soul. 

The answer came: ''Dear Soul, remove 
Thyself the clouds, thy faith thus prove 
Then reach thy goal." 

"Myself the clouds so black, so drear, 

Uplift alone? In mercy hear, 

Lend me some aid." 

Again the Voice: "The clouds look black 
Because in trust thou now dost lack. 
Thyself them made." 

"Myself them made? Oh, God! Not say 

Such bitter word when I do pray 

For grace bestowed." 

"Thou prayest child, and then thou dost 
On thine own strength rely. Thou must 
Remove the load." 

"How can I do so hard a thing? 

Wilt thou not then in pity bring 

An angel nigh?" 

"The angels, child, are ever near, 
Their absence thou need'st never fear, 
Love cannot die. 

The light still shines with radiance bright 
And clouds but prove that in thy might 
Not that of faith 

Thou trustest most. Cast self aside. 
Lean on My strength, make Me thy guide 
For life, by death." 
28 



Dear God, forgive! Like beacon-light 
That guides a storm-tossed bark at night, 
Thy word to me. 

And though my goal seem far away, 
Though shadows sometimes dim life's dav 
I'll trust in Thee." 



29 



THOUGHT 

Though I should speak in unkno\\n tongue and 

seem so far away 
Yet ^^ ould I reach in thought thy heart, thy thought 

my pulse would sway. 
And while I'd feebly call thy name (to human 

sense) yet strong 
Within thy SGul thcu'dst feel my voice, thy heart 

would catch my song. 



30 



"SORROWFUL, YET ALWAY REJOICING" 

A sepulchre within thy heart hast built, 
Between its narrow walls hast dared to lay 
God-given love, God-given hope, and pave 
The way about thee with thy moans so that 
The charnel-sadness of thy life doth chill 
Well-nigh to death those other souls? Know'st not 
Thy fault? See'st not thy selfishness exclude 
The sun's glad rays which stream anear? Canst thou 
Absolve thyself when those about thee need 
Thy help, thy cheer? 

Fain would'st thou tread the garden fair of peace? 
Would'st rest thee in its shade and cull to wear 
Upon thy breast its lilies pure and sweet? 
If thou could'st enter it with that which now 
Thou cherishest so close, a withering blight 
From thee would fall on every flower, the birds 
Would muted be, and to thy soul the Voice 
Of God would speak: 'What dost thou here? De- 
part, 
The bitter knowledge of thy selfishness 
Within thy heart!" 

I would not ask thy sorrow flung away — 

Thy very being knit with it so close — 

But with the rod of human sacrifice 

Of self Fd have thee gently touch it that 

The waters of sweet sympathy may flow 

From thee to all mankind. The Gardener Who 

Hath planted in thy heart the power to grieve, 

Doth long for thee to bring forth blossoms white 

Of thought and deed, t'enrich with blessings fair 

Hearts everywhere. 

31 



What if thy aching breast hold healing balm 

For some sore-stricken one? What if thy smile 

Shall turn to sweet the bitter in his cup 

Of life, remove the screen which hath debarred 

His seeing God, and to his soul bring calm? 

Within no sepulchre thou'dst shrine thy grief; 

Into the world thou'dst take it, glorified 

By love; though sorrowful, thou would'st rejoice 

With heart and voice. 



32 



THY CROSS 

Hold thy cross up straight before thee, 

Never think it aught but gold, 
And be sure the dear Lord gave thee 

What would best thy strength unfold. 

Had He wished to make it lighter 
Thou might'st had it feather-weight; 

But that Faith might shine the brighter 
What He gave to thee looks great. 

Use thy power of firm endurance, 

Ay, e'en bravely to the end ; 
What thou thinkest now a hindrance 

Shall thy soul to glory send. 

Thou shalt see thy cross in heaven 

With thy best thoughts sparkling bright, 

And then know to thee 'twas given 
As a help to find the light. 



33 



THE DIRGE OF THE OLD YEAR 

The Old Year goes, its flight men mourn. 
Why grieve they now ? Each day in turn 
Hath passed and they have thought 
'Twas but a day. Had they but wrought 
(Knowing that fruit must come from seed) 
With heart and prayer to make each deed 
Shine like a star in garb most fair 
For their immortal souls to wear, 
No requiem would they sing to-night 
But see the year in flood of light 
Recede and join the aeons old, — 
Its memory framed in burnished gold. 



4 



TO WATERS STILL AND PASTURES 
GREEN 

Bring to me one who can with music stay my grief; 
Not with a dirge would I be quieted but with some 

chant 
Melodious, sweet, point me the way again to 

heaven's gate. 
Wide open fling the doors now closed between my 

heart and God. 
Show me the parable of love all centered in the Man 
Of Sorrows crowned with gracious smiles Who 

midst of agony 
Could yet of others' welfare think and pardon ene- 
mies. 
Sing to me not of that with which I'm choked but 

comfort me 
With that I lack. Lead to my Shepherd and to 

waters still 
Until my soul shall bathe in them, my hand shall 

surely clasp 
The staff He'll hold for me and I shall face the 

pastures green. 

So shall I then be comforted. 



35 



HIS SOUL 

Suppose a Soul were failing quite to grow 
On earth, that basest passions choked so close 
The good, it could not free itself and rise 
Beyond the clay-bound thought. Suppose that Soul 
Were loosed from body's chains and taken where 
Eternity's real life it might begin, 
Its truest freedom learn. Suppose your love 
For him lived on in wondrous-pulsing thought, — 
Dear Mother his, would your tears fall? 

Suppose a Soul grown beauteous white were borne 
Aw^ay one day to Paradise the while 
You stayed behind. Suppose you knew that Soul 
Had earned a place and taken it with saints. 
That toil and loss were over quite, and joyed 
That higher service had been won. Ah, yes! 
Suppose all this, yet being true within 
To aching breast where he lay pillow'd once, — 
Dear Mother his, would your tears fall? 



36 



LIFE'S THREADS 

If I could take the threads which fall about me soft 
And by one stroke quick weave them into pattern 

ra're, 
Would I not err? Would I not spoil the shape or 

mar, 
Perchance, some spot w^here whitest thread should 

form device 
I know not now? Would I not better leave to Him 
Who gives each thread its own peculiar, lustrous 

hue, 

The weaving, too? 

And though in childish ignorance I sometimes wish 
The pattern wove, full well I know — love's lesson 

learned — 
That every thread is falling safe in its own place; 
By sudden gleam of prophecy bestowed, in awe be- 
hold 
Life's aftermath with raiment for my soul to wear, 
It woven here and every thread reflecting bright 
The Weaver's light. 



37 



WHEN DAYS ARE DARK 

Why dwell among the shadows when the light Is 
shining clear? 
Why chant a miserere when from earth to heaven 
drawn near 
Outrings a song of triumph in whose strains you 
may take part, 
And echoes soft your voice repeat to some near- 
fainting heart? 

Why stand beneath the ladder when to climb means 
stepping where 
Will come the larger vision and you'll breathe the 
purer air? 
Why blind your eyes with cobwebs when great 
glories are revealed, 
And they who learn to read it find the book of 
life ne'er sealed. 

From thickets of disquietude sweet thoughts of 
peace may spring, 
O'er quicksands of uncertainty hope spread her 
silver wing. 
'Mid tangles of discouragement fair buds of promise 
grow, 
And tempests of heart's cravings may leave calm 
with after glow. 



38 



You know how live the flowers in the dreary winter 
days, 
Or how responds their seed-life to the influence 
of rays 
Of sunlight piercing through the ground where all 
seems dark and cold, 
How 'mid the soft white petals there is formed 
the heart of gold? 

Eternity's great branches, what our finite minds 
term years, 
Have proved a Great Protecting Power at work 
despite men's fears; 
And so just let the sunshine 'mid the shadows glisten 
bright, _ 
And mounting on Faith's ladder rest your eyes 
with heaven's light. 



39 



MARY, THE MOTHER OF OUR LORD 

Dear Mary, Mother faithful ! At the cradle of the 

Lord 
Didst thou comprehend quite fully all the beauty 

of the Word? 
Didst thou see in vision lofty all the healing He 

would bring? 
Didst thou hear His voice so holy with God's praises 

ever ring? 
Didst thou see the cross of Calvary, hear His 

agonized cry? 
Didst thou see His soul departing — know that it 

would never die? 

Dear Mary, Mother faithful! Mother-love and 

mother-hope 
Filled thy mother-bosom heaving when upon fair 

Bethlehem's slope 
First were heard the Christmas angels telling of 

the wondrous birth. 
Bringing tidings of salvation e'en while souls dwell 

on the earth. 

Dear Mary, Mother faithful ! Jesu's holy Mother 

dear. 
What was then beheld in shadow now thou view'st 

in vision clear. 
How thy heart must swell with rapture as thy dear 

Son's armies grow, 
As those hosts of countless thousands with God's 

holiest light aglow 
March so softly yet so surely, conquering ever In 

this sign — 
"Fia cruets, via lucis, Jesu, Saviour, Love divine." 
40 



Dear Mary, Mother faithful! Once again we sing 
the birth 

In fair Bethlehem's lowly stable, — hail the Christ- 
Child come to earth ; 

And while looking at the cradle see above it bend 
so sweet 

Thy face, our Jesu's Mother, with God's love and 
peace replete. 



41 



HOW SHALL THEY FACE THE WORLD ? 
A Resurrection Song 

How shall they face the world, what raiment shall 
they wear, 

Those souls who day by day must work allotted task 

Whilst inwardly with heart-strings all unstrung 
they ask 

The shattering of the shell, aye, pray release ? Who 
dare 

Approach those stricken ones, I say, and bid them 
tear 

From out their life their pain, or tell them gilded 
mask 

To weave with pleasure's loom, in her fresh bright- 
ness bask 

Until (untrue to all) they shall forget their prayer? 

Oh, what were life if such could for one loss atone! 
Full well they know who've suffered most, borne 

Sorrow's palm, 
That when the pain pressed hard their heaven-sent 

balm 
Unselfish service was, — an echo from the throne 
Of The Eternal Thought. Blest work, heart's 

anchor grown, 
Fast held them 'mid the storm until with pulse-beat 

calm 
They knew the road they trod and learned without 

alarm 
In majesty of grief their victory was won. 



42 



How shall they face the world, what raiment shall 

they wear 
Who, looking at their life through human lens, find 

naught 
But chasm, 'deep and difficult to cross? All wrought 
In wondrous hue their garb so be for love they bear 
Of love most infinite some revelation fair 
To brother man. Thus robed, their faces turned to 

port, 
The chasm may they bridge with happiest; heaven- 
born thought, 
Tread softly and await the glory over there. 



43 



LOVE'S VISION 

Love's vision sees through fast-barred doors Love's 

hidden thought, 
And soul doth feel the imprint of each touch of joy 
Or pain that's felt by other self, doth see the throbs. 
Doth know^ the struggles fierce of inner man, doth 

learn 
Somehow the good and ill, doth yearn. 
Such love were rare. 
Doth ever mean self set aside. What can it do? 
*'One thing it can.' ('Twas unseen voice I heard 

when dark 
The daylight seemed, and laughter prelude but of 

pain.) 
"The best gift Love to Love can make is taking self 
To God. So Love doth gain and givCj were't soon 

or late^ 
An unseen strength to think, to bear, to will, to 

serve. 
Nor asphodel nor rue need be the signet worn 
But violets sweet for faithfulness. No fetter false 
Doth bind its acts, but sheafed they are by string 
Of pearls, the one end held in heav'n — each pearl a 

prayer". 

(Strange problem worked 
In daily life where stepping-stones not always smooth 
Are placed across earth's chasms deep. Strange, did 

I say? 
Not so, but only rare to human sense the power 
Full clear to comprehend the length and breadth, 

the depth 
And height of God's best gift to man.) 



44 



"PEACE AT THE LAST" 

Look well for the sunlight all ye who now linger 

Apart in the Valley of Shadows so drear. 
Think ! Under the frost-hardened ground oft lie 
hidden 
White snowdrops that blossom ere springtime 
draws near. 

Who knows but some storm-beaten soul may soon 
anchor 
Anear you and signal for help you can give ? 
The searchlight of hope will you send thro' the 
tempest 
That he, tho' nigh shipwrecked may see it and 
live? 

And what if some weary one aching for kindness 
Shall touch but the hem of your garment and 
smile? 
Reward will that be for your sorrow borne bravely ? 
Oh, look for the sunlight, — make living worth 
while. 

Out heartaches and longings may come large 

fruition, 

Such bountiful harvests from seed you may sow! 

The reapers, perchance, you'll not see as they pass 

you, 

Their song of thanksgiving you never may know, 

But softly you'll travel the road to the hilltop, 
Life's love and life's duty forever made one. 

Each dawn shall encourage, each eventide calm you 
Till with the last sunset will be whispered, "Well 
done" ! 

45 



RESURRECTION-LINKS 

A chaifl to bind us fast to heaven we ask 

Nor see how every common thing of earth 

As well as beatific vision hath 

Within its being a bright-burnished link 

No mortal hand hath forged. Steeped in the drug 

Of self, too dull our senses are to search 

The heart of each day's happenings for that 

Which only makes life real and true. Did we 

But read aright the message of the rose, 

The cnystery of pain, the love of friends, 

The cruel sting, the laurel-wreath bestowed 

Or crown of thorns; dixi we with vision clear 

Perceive the inner grace of all, believe 

That never one thing comes to you, to me, 

(Or storm or calm) without its special need, 

Soon w^ould we weld strong resurrection-links 

Into an endless chain — a circle white 

With deeds unselfish, love unfeigned, and know 

That heaven on earth begins — God everj'where. 



46 



DE PROFUNDIS 

Oh, Thou! Who seest deeper far than man 

The thought which sways each wanderer from the 

fold; 
Who knowest best of all the powers of hell, 
The poisoned wine they pour out chalice gold, 
Their craftiness in binding chains of guilt 
About their victim's souls, — is life on earth 
The end of all for those who tempest-tossed 
By sin dash soul and body on its reefs ? 
No other world where prodigals may seek 
Their Father — God ? No candle burning bright 
When on that awful wreck death's shadows fall? 
No further hope for such when bells are tolled, 
\Vhen "earth to earth" is said and requiems sung? 
Shall breaking hearts live on in agony 
Not asking heaven with their loved in hell ? 
Is eveT}r wanderer damned ? Is there no spark 
Of good, infinitesimal may be. 
Alive? At Thy command may not that germ 
Be sifted from the rotting mass of chaff, 
Be nurtured into strength through angels' care 
Ere reaping time shall come? Are there no aisles 
Of penitence where disembodied souls 
May earn the right to tread their way anear 
The throne of grace and there absolved lay down 
Regret, remorse forevermore, — within 
The circle of Thy love find their name writ? 
Out of the deep men cry in agony 
"Father, forgive"! 



47 



Softly this message came. 
Not in earth's balances are weighed the souls 
Of men nor earth computed wage e'er paid 
Where He The Great Assizer rules, not just 
Alone but merciful. Upon thy hearts 
The finger of His hand hath traced His mark 
Of omnipresence. Then, love being love 
Thy tears must cleanse the way for perfect trust. 
Through doubt of that unbroken chain which links 
All souls to God, be not a stumbling block. 
God loves the sinner though the sinner loves 
Him not. His way to bring His wanderers home 
There none shall know till each one for himself 
Shall read his own sad-blotted book of life. 
With vision purified shall see a love 
More tender, mightier far than aught on earth, 
In every happening shall behold his God. 

Amen. 



48 



WHEN YOU AND I 

From body freed in the Beyond shall meet, 

Each ip the other's eyes will look and read 

Forgiveness of misunderstandings here, — 

A compensation great but all too late 

For happiness on earth. Wherefore to-day 

Out fullness of my heart I pray that you 

My every thoughtless word and deed forgive 

Ere death destroy the human right to choose 

The bitter or the sweet. Within my breast 

The hope I hold to bless where I have hurt. 

The keystone of your life I'd touch with peace 

And waft through space though face to face again 

We never stand, sure comfort in your need. 

I who have watched the destiny of hearts 

Find naught but loving service worth their while. 

Misunderstandings choke us, cloud our sky 

Till in a frenzied whirl of doubt all trust 

Is lost. Ah, then our hearts grow faint, our eyes 

See not the vision of the land where faith 

Is changed to perfect knowledge, hope to sight. 

Our ears refuse to hear the wondrous song 

That Bethlehem's angels sang when Christ was born. 

Embittered grow we when we should know peace. 

Oh, friend who once did hold me dear, your soul 

And mine shall one day meet, renew their troth. 

Meanwhile, on earth forgive and understand! 



49 



THE VISION OF THE STARS 

Bright-genuned the heaven of mens hopes with stars 
They would attain but in their hearts despair 
Doth swing its leaden weights until they faint: 
Thus the recording angel wrote, and wept. 

A crucial test that Vision bright beheld ! 

So human we in confines of the flesh, 

Scarce wonder that we hesitate to scale 

Those starlit heights whose beauty Love foretells. 

Though spirit ardently desires the flight, 

The powder to comprehend the length and breadth, 

The depth and height of The Eternal Thought 

Is rare to finite sense, and thus we faint. 

So much of new the future holds in store, 

'Twere w^isdom to recall the past, its trend 

From shadows to the light. Else had the stars 

Been unperceived though near at hand they shone. 

They who have probed 
The mysteries of life, its frailties 
Of human kind, its ever varying moods. 
Have found beneath the poor, rent garment wrapt 
About m.en's souls another one, dust-freed 
And woven with most brilliant threads whose price 
He knows, alone, who weaves. Discordant notes — 
The circumstance environment may make — 
May jar and fret and yet declare themselves 
Development's necessity on earth. 
Exultant joj^s and misereres oft 
Within the soul may welded be but each 
Its separate seed must sow, some mile-stone stamp 
For aye with precept learned — a fragment small 
Of great, eternal Truth. That Mind which out 
From chaos brought forth light, that Law which 
sways 

50 



The universe — the two but one — reacts 
xAnd throbs in every breast, defines although 
x\Ien see it not the roadway heavenward. 
While spirit solves the mystery of the hour, 
Experience wields a magic, mighty wand 
With which she opens wide the gates that lead 
To wisdom's richest fields, men garnering there 
All each has strength to reap. (This have they 

proved 
Who have attained the heights). 

Oh, realms of Truth ! 
Oh, goal for which men yearn, aglow with flatnes 
Of sacred fire! The ego in me claims 
Its heritage and were no other one 
To climb the path calm w^ould I go nor fear 
The loneliness. Faith brushes doubt aside 
And points to that great galaxy of stars 
Whose rays or dim to me or luminous 
Unsparing knowledge of soul growth reveals 
Unerringly. Not for ourselves alone 
May you and I press on. No narrow road 
We tread, its boundaries the walls of self, 
But one vast thronged with a great multitude 
Of souls each bearing in itself the germ 
Of holiness although most sadly stained 
And rent th' enfolding garment, human-frail 
The habitation where it dwells on earth. 
Not cold our hearts must be nor dumb our lips. 
Not faltering our feet as day by day 
With all this quivering life close touch we keep. 
Think you those brilliant stars will serve as guides 
To some glad paradise of full content 
If he whose moans we've heard lies prone, by earth 
Compelled most earthy still t'exist? Think you 
Our power of vision will not fade so be 
51 



We reach not out and point to him the light? 
If he, arising from his bed of clay, 
Speed upward as with wings towards the goal 
And pass us on the way, shall we rejoice? 
That's test of spirit-strength. (In minor chords 
Sometimes we hear the Master's gentlest touch 
And learn his thought divine.) 

Bright-gemmed the skies! 
The angel of the covenant of peace 
With steadfast purpose, searching eyes, draws nigh 
To help men build out iron will a bridge 
Across the yawning chasm of doubt, to plant 
Anear the edge of every precipice 
(Where life seems not worth while, oblivion sweet,) 
The seeds of victory o'er self, send forth 
The silver threads of spiritual desire. 
A wondrous power those stars possess to draw 
And fasten to themselves the glistening strands. 
Immutable the law of glad response 
To every soul's awakening cry, for none 
Can fail to reach th' Eternal Father's heart 
Nor find itself unsought. Forever blest 
That sacrament divine when finite wills 
Blend with the Infinite, and wondrously 
Each heart's ascension proves heav'n's swift ap- 
proach ! 
Why should we faint? Bathed in immortal rays 
Of love and light and life, our eyes we turn 
Towards the glory of the stars, and pray 
We keep our vision bright. 



52 



FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN 

We are so little, we who would to heaven attain ! 
Our words — we call them prayers — we upward 

waft on wing 
Too frail to bear them far from our weak frames. 

Naught bring 
We of a living, sacrificial gift, but stain 
With grossest selfishness the all-enduring chain 
Which links mankind to God. To earth we cling 
E'en while with service of the lips, not heart, we 

sing 
"Let me but see Thy face," then moan that prayer 

is vain. 

So faithless we though on the brow Christ's sign is 

worn, 
So hopeless that our spirits have no anchorage, 
So wayward that we fail to make our pilgrimage 
A joy. Undisciplined, unsatisfied, we pawn 
Our higher, nobler selves receiving dross outdrawn 
From the great treasury of worldliness, nor gage 
Redemption-price until fierce storms about us rage. 
Our loss unknown till on reflection's waves we're 

borne. 

Would'st soar indeed to heaven's gates? Then find 

thy place 
Within th' arena vast of earth nor moment pause 
To deem it great or small for thee. By nature's laws 
Thy life must be fulfilled through growth. If thine 

the grace 
Content t'obey each duty's call the while thy face 
Toward Jerusalem is turned then from the stores 
Of faith and hope and love thou'lt gather that which 

draws 
Souls heavenward, th' ascent with pure desires keep 

pace. 

53 



i 



RECOMPENSE 

Glad service makes true royalty, and they shall reign 
as Kings 

Who know not now the heritage that work for 
others brings; 

Nor dream because unselfish that tlicir raiment glis- 
tens white 

As scattering waves of sunshine they themselves are 
bathed in light. 



54 



WHEN SORROW COMES 

God grant I take her by the hand and say 

"We walk together, you and I, to bless 

And not' to bring unhappiness." Though day 

To me may often clouded be I pray 

For grace bestowed to patient weave her dress 

Out loving thought, not vain regret, and find 

The Star of Hope upon her breast to bind. 

For sorrow comes 
Not just a mocking echo of the past, 
Not cruelly our hearts to stab and scar 
For vengeance sake, not a destructive blast, — 
i>at in her lies a moral strength of vast 
Importance to men's souls, with large and far 
Out-reaching possibilities like stairs 
On which they climb to God — His thought made 
theirs. 

When Sorrow comes 
And on her breast the Star of Hope she wears, 
God grant my love more catholic may grow 
That where (not mine the choice) I see the cares 
Of aching souls, the hurts that no one bares 
I'o pain-free eyes, there with my heart aglow 
For thankfulness, my sorrow clad in white. 
May I, the glory God's, sow peace, shed light. 



55 



OCT 31 1912 



